First Week Observations

[DOUGHBOYS]

I didn't take Frankie Francisco in any drafts. I try to follow an old rule of mine that I don't take a closer if there is a better arm in the same bullpen. Nobody can question that Neftali Feliz has better stuff than Francisco.

Feliz was never stretched out over the spring, so the bullpen is his home this year. A great decision by the Rangers. Once you've got lightning in a bottle at the major league level....hone it, don't change it. The Yankees and Mariners should have been as wise with Joba and Morrow. Feliz should close soon.



Raffy Furcal has made me eat my words this week. He has moved around the field and hit like the old (young) Furcal. Maybe his back is rejuvenated after 'resting' it all of last year. Whatever it is, he is moving around a lot better and if he can keep it up, he'll reward his owners....Unless Joe Torre starts hitting him eighth



I am a Jaime Garcia owner in most leagues. I like the guys stuff and especially his make up. Not that kind of make-up, Jules.

Even after a good performance, I still have reason to worry. LaRussa is set in his ways and does not particularly care for rookie pitchers.

I do remember a fella named Smith, a rookie, who threw a no-no for LaRussa while a rookie. Soon, he was in the minors and never heard from again.

I'll be hoping for better things from Garcia, he'll need them.



Albert Pujols hit two home runs in the first game of the season. 'On Pacers' would have him at 324 homers for the season. Of course, this is extreme. But to illustrate how silly 'on pace' reckonings are, ANYBODY who hits two home runs this week is on pace to hit 52 home runs this year. Nobody did that last year.



Results are always the key to anything in competition. Not promise or promises. That said, there are a lot of Managers ecstatic with Edgar Renteria. He has been the leader of San Francisco's offense during the first week. A salute to those that played him, or even if they HAD to play him if the only option on their roster.



Finally, there are a lot of scary stats the first week of a season. There have been no-no's going into the seventh inning two or three times. Vernon Wells and Nellie Cruz with four home runs. Kyle Blanks and Josh Hamilton wearing the golden sombrero by striking out four times in a game.

The scariest stat that jumps out at me, Ryan Howard has struck out ONE time. I haven't been able to see Howard this year and haven't heard about him changing his swing, but if he comes anywhere close to lessening his strike outs by a large percentage, he could be getting an MVP at the end of the year.



Last, we can ship cow dung from city to city all over the United States and when it arrives, it is still cow dung. Just a little older and stinkier. GM's should now realize this about Milton Bradley.



[ April 11, 2010, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: DOUGHBOYS ]

[Oaktown]

Feliz was already named the new closer "for now".

[eddiejag]

Somebody waived Feliz in one of my leagues last week.Hmmn what to bid.

[rkulaski]

Add Alex Gonzalez to the "4 HRs this week" club.



I tried to get J Garcia in just about any league I could too. Let's hope LaRussa let's him be as the 5th starter after he has a rough start or two (which hopefully won't even happen).



It's only been 1 week but Headley, Rammus, and C Young owners should be thrilled with good starts from these 3 hitters.



Rauch 4 saves. Capps 3 saves. Frasor 3 saves (I think). Even K Gregg 2 saves. L Nunez 2 saves. Speaking of "On Pacers", these guys are all in line for over 50 saves. Rauch should surpass 100.



High batting averages are always fun to look at after the first week and I know there are some hitters who have played every day that are still hitting over .500? But was anyone higher than Martin Prado's .736 (or something near that)?? I loved this guy last year - all he does is hit and hit some more- and he should finish the year at worst with a .300 average.



Injuries suck. The nagging ones aren't too bad as A Hill and Ethier should be back soon. C Gonzalez' hammy doesn't sound too serious. But Montero's knee injury will cost him at best 1 month, maybe more pending further tests. Tough break for Montero owners as this guy was headed toward a very nice season.

[MadCow Sez]

Originally posted by rkulaski:

Add Alex Gonzalez to the "4 HRs this week" club.



I tried to get J Garcia in just about any league I could too. Let's hope LaRussa let's him be as the 5th starter after he has a rough start or two (which hopefully won't even happen).



It's only been 1 week but Headley, Rammus, and C Young owners should be thrilled with good starts from these 3 hitters.



Rauch 4 saves. Capps 3 saves. Frasor 3 saves (I think). Even K Gregg 2 saves. L Nunez 2 saves. Speaking of "On Pacers", these guys are all in line for over 50 saves. Rauch should surpass 100.



High batting averages are always fun to look at after the first week and I know there are some hitters who have played every day that are still hitting over .500? But was anyone higher than Martin Prado's .736 (or something near that)?? I loved this guy last year - all he does is hit and hit some more- and he should finish the year at worst with a .300 average.



Injuries suck. The nagging ones aren't too bad as A Hill and Ethier should be back soon. C Gonzalez' hammy doesn't sound too serious. But Montero's knee injury will cost him at best 1 month, maybe more pending further tests. Tough break for Montero owners as this guy was headed toward a very nice season. What was Montero "on pace" for?

[KJ Duke]

Originally posted by MadCow Sez:

What was Montero "on pace" for? right now, 26 knee surgeries

[rockitsauce]

Originally posted by DOUGHBOYS:



The scariest stat that jumps out at me, Ryan Howard has struck out ONE time. I haven't been able to see Howard this year and haven't heard about him changing his swing, but if he comes anywhere close to lessening his strike outs by a large percentage, he could be getting an MVP at the end of the year.

that IS quite a stat concerning Big Ryan. I saw somewhere a piece about him moving closer to the plate (to avoid getting rung up on that borderline outside pitch). He had been worried about not extending his arms enough (on inside pitches), but it looks like this approach is working...so far.



I'm glad b/c he certainly had some 3rd "strikes" called against him in the Series that were borderline at best !

[Money]

Home opener tradition in Detroit every year with my 17 year old daughter. Tigers score 3 in the 9th to come back from 8-3 defacit to win 9-8. They win all three games this weekend. It gets no better. Got to a computer to check and adjust my FAAb and I couldn't get in. Didn't bother me, most of my teams suck and it looks like a learning year. Good luck to all....

[Walla Walla]

First week thoughts. Hmmm. Well maybe that Fanball really does SUCK!!!!!